How much sugar(or anything else ) would i need to bump up the abv from about 4,5% to 5 or 6 and would it be the same amount getting something from 7% to 8% i use an 1 gallon bottle
Simple sugars like corn sugar and cane sugar generally add 45-46 specific gravity points (0.045-0.046) per pound per gallon, also called ppg. That same amount would add roughly 4.5% ABV to any beer. If you only want to add say 1% ABV, you only need to add about 3.5 ounces sugar per gallon to do that, which is roughly 1/2 cup per gallon.
ok nice so i have a rough amount i have read about diffrent things to ad i heard normal sugar can kinda dry out your beer and for example honey is better to use anything you can recommend?
Sugar won't really dry out your beer in a major way. Mostly it just kicks up the alcohol. The final gravity should stay about the same no matter what sugar you use. If you want a honey flavor then use honey. If you don't, then don't.
Everyone is thinking it, I'll say it. Adding sugar to increase ABV is a classic new brewer angle. It is not a good idea because adding sugar has an effect on all the other qualities of the beer. Bitterness. Aroma. Malt. Flavor. Head retention. Color. I am willing to bet your beer recipe is just fine the way it is. I can almost guarantee it does not need to be fixed. If you are planning to add sugar to a finished beer, well, don't. Lastly, it's your beer. Do as you like. Cheers.
